Charles Burns on Standing Out & Succeeding in Accounting | Beyond the Numbers | Episode 17

In this edition of Beyond the Numbers, Bernadette Grattan, Founder & Recruiting Director at The Resource Link, is joined by Charles Burns, Regional Controller at Champions Group Holdings.

Early Career Advice: Standing Out from the Crowd

When asked what advice he’d give to his younger self as a staff accountant, Charles emphasized several key points:

1. Go Above and Beyond: “Try to stand out from the rest,” Charles advises. This can be as simple as:

1. • Meeting deadlines consistently
   • Staying late when needed
   • Volunteering for special projects
   • Showing up on time
   • Maintaining a professional appearance
   • Demonstrating attention to detail

1. Find a Mentor Early: “Try to find somebody to mentor you. I did that in my career, but I felt like I did it too late,” Charles reflects. Having a mentor to learn from and pick their brain can accelerate your professional growth significantly.
2. Master Your Current Role: While advancement is important, Charles emphasizes the value of thoroughly learning your current position before moving up. This foundation of experience and knowledge proves invaluable later in your career.
3. Never Stop Learning: Charles encourages continuous professional development through:

1. • Asking lots of questions
   • Learning from mistakes
   • Taking leadership classes
   • Pursuing professional certifications (CPA, CMA, CFA)

The Value of Professional Certifications

Charles took an interesting path with his certifications, choosing to pursue both the CMA and CFA. He selected the CMA because it offers a more well-rounded approach to accounting without focusing on taxes. “I feel like you learn a lot more; you’re more well-rounded as a managerial accountant,” he explains.

His pursuit of the CFA came from his passion for financial analysis. “The analysts really make a difference,” Charles notes. “Getting information out to the frontline leaders, the business leaders, so they can make decisions in a timely manner, could really affect the business.”

Current Role and Career Evolution

As Regional Controller for the Southwest and West regions at his private equity firm, Charles’s role extends beyond traditional accounting:

• He reports to regional presidents rather than the CFO
• Focuses on organic business growth
• Acts more as a regional CFO/analyst than a traditional controller
• Reviews and presents financials to investors

The Value of an Accounting Career

Charles highlights several benefits of choosing accounting as a career path:

1. Job Security: “You’re always going to need accountants,” he emphasizes, noting that even with AI advancement, the field remains stable.
2. Career Flexibility: The field offers numerous paths:

• Tax or audit
• Public or private accounting
• Private equity
• CFO or even CEO positions

1. Strong Income Potential: From entry-level positions to executive roles, accounting offers competitive compensation at all levels.
2. Advancement Opportunities: Whether aiming for CFO or preferring to excel in senior accounting roles, the field offers various career trajectories.

Tips for Getting Promoted

For those looking to advance their careers, Charles offers these key pieces of advice:

1. Communicate Your Goals: “Let your supervisor or boss know what your goals are,” Charles advises. This allows them to mentor you appropriately and help you develop the necessary skills.
2. Excel in Your Current Role: “Be the best you can at your position now, because that’s going to make you stand apart,” he emphasizes. Mastering your current position makes you a natural choice for promotion.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out: Remember that bosses are just people too. While maintaining appropriate respect, don’t be afraid to have honest conversations about your career goals.

Be Patient: “Take your time. Just make sure you’re ready,” Charles advises, particularly when considering executive positions like CFO roles.

ABOUT Charles Burns: Charles is an accomplished financial leader with over 14 years of experience across diverse industries. He currently serves as Regional Controller at Champions Group Holdings, where he functions as an operational business partner for the management team, helping grow the business and providing advice for profitability. 

 Previously, Charles served as Corporate Controller at Red Mountain Weight Loss, overseeing financial operations for 23 entities.

 Charles holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Arizona State University and is a CPA and CFA.

 Learn more, or reach out to Charles at:  https://linkedin.com/in/charles-burns-cma-cfa-5202b410

ABOUT Bernadette Grattan: Bernadette is the Founder and Accounting & Finance Recruiting Director of The Resource Link, Inc., a specialty search firm she started in 2002. Bernadette takes a personalized approach to understanding the hiring manager and job seeker’s needs. This enables her to make long-term placements in accounting, finance, and executive roles. The Resource Link distinguishes itself through high-touch customer service, candid insights, and ensuring an excellent match by connecting top talent with companies aligned with their career passions. 

If you are looking to hire or considering what is next, learn more at theresourcelink.com or https://linkedin.com/in/bernadettegrattan